Demountable rim



H. M. HOWELL.

DEMOUNTABLE RIM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 6'1920.

Patented July 5, 1921, 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 W/ T/VESSES 4 TTOR/VEVS H. M. HO WELL.

DEMOUNTABLE RIM.

APPLiCATlON FILED JAN. 6, 1920.

1,;383,810@ Patented July 5, 1921.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

URNEYS mountable rim of the type movable outer tire-retaining flange.

PATENT OFFICE.

. NIT D STATES,

HENRY MARTIN HOWELL, OF MONROE, LOUISIANA, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, SEVEN AND ONE-HALF PER CENT. TO CHARLES SOHULTZE, SEVEN AND ONE-HALF PER CENT. TO RICHARD DOWNS, SEVEN AND ONE-HALF PER .CEN'I. TO JOHN E. DOUGHTIE, SEVEN AND ONE-HALF PER CENT.

TO SHELBY G. BLACKMON, SEVEN AND ONE-HALF PER GENT. TO ARTHUR KING,

V FIFTEEN PER CENT. 'IO LOUIS H. KRICKEL, AND THIRTY-FIVE PER CENT. TO SAMUEL KAPLAN, ALL OF MONROE, LOUISIANA. I

DEMOUN TABLE RIM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 5, 1921.

Application filed January 6, 1920. Serial No. 349,723.

To aZZ'wlwmit may concern: 1

Be it known that I HENRY MARTIN HOWELL, a citizen of the limited States, and a resident of 'Monroe, in theparish of Ouachita and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Demountable Rims, of which the follow in isaspecification.

,y' invention relates to demountable rims and more particularly to an improved deemploying a re- An important object ofthe invention is to. ovide an improvement of this character with fastening means for the outer removtening action is equally and evenl dis- .tributed along the entire circum erenoe thereof to provide the greatest strength, durability and efficiency, and to prevent distortion of the various parts;

Other objects and advantages reside in the certain novel features of the construction, arrangement and combination of parts which will become apparent as the description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in' which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view showing' my invention embodied in a wire wheel construction, the plane of the section intersecting the locking flange;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing my invention embodied in a wooden wheel construction, the plane of the section lying between the locking flanges;

Fig. '3 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating. one. form of fastening means;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail perspective view illustratin the preferred construction of the ends of t e enlarged head of the lockin Fig. 1, the plane of the section lying be tween thelocking flanges;

Fig. 7 1s a fragmentary view in vertical section showing a modified form of fastenin means; an

1g. 8. 1s a fragmentary view in vertical section showing a still further modified form of fastening means.

Referring to the drawings, especially to F 1gs.- 2, 3, and 5, it will be seen that my invention is shown embodied in an automobile wheel of wooden construction including a hub 10, spokes l1, and felly 12. A felly band 12 is shrunk or otherwise secured upon the felly 12.

Referring especially to Figs. 1, 6, 7, and '8,

it will be seen that I have also shown my invention embodied in a wire wheel construction in which 13 represents the spokes and 14 the wheel body which includes not only the fixed rim but the remainder of the wheel. This wheel body serves as both the felly and the felly band and consists merely ofan annular ring in which the spokes are countersunk. A depending integral plate 15. is also included in the Wheel body.

In both embodiments of my invention the felly'band is provided at its inner edge, that is, at the edge adjacent the vehicle, with a vertical upstanding flange 15' and at its outer edge with a bevel 16 constituting an inclined surface. Both the flange 15' and the bevel'l6 extend entirely around the circumference of the felly band. A removable wedge ring 17 is positioned upon the felly band adjacent the upstanding flange 15' and presents an inclined surface 17 as shown.

The demountable rim consists of a base section 18 having an inner integral tire-engaging and retaining flange 19 and having formed at its outer side an inner vertically depending locking plate 20, the inner face of which is adapted, when the rim is in position, to bear against the outer surface of the felly. An outer tir retaining and engaging flange 21 has integrally formed thereplate22, the inner face of which is adapted,

when the rim parts are assembled, to bear .against the outer face of the'inner locking I drical, is designated at 26. The enlarged head 26 presents a circular cross section,,

plate 20. Both of the looking plates extend entirely around the circumference of the rim.

The demountable rim, when assembled, is adapted to be placed upon the wheel in proper position with respect thereto and properly spacedfrom the felly. For this" purpose the under side of the base section of the rim is providedwith an integral downwardly extending circumferential flange 23 having an inclined face 23 corresponding to the inclined face 17 of the wedge ring 17 and the under side of the base section is also provided at its outer side with a wedge ring 24: which may be removable if preferred, and which is formed with an inclined surface 24' corresponding to the inclined surface of the felly band; When in engagement these inclined surfaces cooperate to properly position the rim spaces from the felly band.

The locking plates 19 and 21 are provided with fastening means, which, when in locking position, prevent lateral movement of the tire retaining flange 20 with respect to the base section 15 of the rim and the inner tire-retaining flange 18, and common means is provided for preventing circumferential movement of the outer tire-retaining flange with respect to the other parts of the rim and for maintaining the demountable rim upon the wheel.

An important feature of my invention resides in the improved fastening means which consists, in general, and in. all forms of the invention, ofspaced arcuate locking flanges integral with the inner locking plate 20 and each having their outer ends provided with enlarged heads. In the form of my invention. shown in Fig. 1, the arcuate flange is designated at 25 and is of rectangular cross section and the enlarged head 26 integral with the outer end of the flange 25 is also of rectangular cross sectioncand, moreover, is elongated in cross section with respect to the locking flange. 4

In. the form of the invention shown in Fig.7, the locking flange is designated at 25 and the enlarged head thereof is deSignated at 26". 'Both the locking flange 25 and its enlarged head 26". have their top and bottom surfaces undercut, as shown in the drawing, and these surfaces are coincident and so-blendinto each other.

Ingthe form of the invention shown in Fig. 8, the locking flange is designated at 25 and the enlarged head, which is cylinas shown in the drawing. The locking flange 25 in this form is of-a minute extent.

The locking plate 22 of the outer tireretaining flange 21 is provided with a cirlocking flange when the plate 22 has been moved circumferentially with respect to the locking plate 20 so as to confine the enlarged head 26 in the channel 27 behind the arcuate shoulders 28 and thereby lock the tire-retaining flange 21 130 the upper r1m parts.

As shown in Figs. 1, 7, and 8 the channel and the shoulders are formedlto correspond with the form of the enlarged head 26.

Centrally of the open portions of the channel, that is centrally of the spaces between. the shoulders of the channel, the locking plate 22 is provided with an opening 29, which, when the outer tire-retaining flange is in assembled position, is alined with a like opening 30 provided in the locking plate 20. The locking flange and thetaoperatinglocking arcuate shoulders, as Well as the spaces therebetween and the openings 29 and 30, are preferably eight in number and the spaces andflanges are equal in aircumferential extent to obtain the greatest possible locking action. When the outer tire-retaining flange is secured in place and its enlarged head is confined in the'channel 27 by the arcuate shoulders 28, the openings 29 and 30 are alined, as previously stated, and stud bolts 31- arerinserted in these openings and secured in a nut 32 provided therefor in the felly. Suitable openings, of course, are provided for the stud bolts in the felly. As shown Fig. 2 the stud bolts used with the wooden wheel construction are somewhat longer than'the stud bolts used with the wire. wheel construction in Fig. 6, in order t0 com-1 pensate for the difference in thickness of the felly 12 in the one instance and the plate 15 in the other! To facilitate assembly of the outer removable tire-retaining flange, the enlarged heads 26 of the locking flanges are provided at on the outer tireengaging flange 21 and are adapted to be operated upon by a hammer or the like to induce a proper circumferential movement of the rim flange 21 with respect to the other rim parts, in order to assemble and disassemble the rim.

A tire 24:, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, is mounted upon the base section of the rim and retained in position by the tire retaining flanges 19 and 21.

In practice if it is desired to remove the tire 34 for purposes of replacing or repair, the stud bolts 31 are removed and the demountable rim may be bodily withdrawn from the wheel. The rim is then laid upon the ground with the locking plates up and the impact lugs 33 are operated upon by a hammer or the like to induce circumferential movement of the locking plate 22 with respect to'the other rim parts, until the arcuate shoulders 28 are withdrawn from behind the enlarged head 26 of the locking flange 25. The locking flange 25 and the enlarged head 26 then lie in the open portions of the channel and the arcuate shoulders 28 then lie in the open spaces between the locking flanges. The outer tire-retaining flange 21 may then be readily removed and the tire displaced for purposes of repair or replacement.

When it is desired to reassemble the rim, the-tire is first placed upon the base section 18 and the outer retaining-flange 21 is then presented thereto so that the open portions of the channel 27 are opposite the locking flanges and their enlarged heads and the arcuate shoulders 28 are opposite the spaces between the flanges. The tire-retaining flange is then moved inwardly so that the locking flanges enter the open portions of the channel 27 and the arcuate shoulders 28 lie in the open spaces between the flanges. The locking plate 22 is then moved circumferentially with respect to the locking plate 20, the inclined surfaces 26 of the enlarged heads of the locking flanges engage behind the arcuate shoulders 28 and force the locking flanges behind the arcuate shoulders thereby locking the outer retaining flange in the other rim parts. When the proper circumferential movement has been com pleted, the stud bolts 31 are then inserted in the openings29 and 30 and threaded home in the nut 32 to secure the rim upon the wheel. The locking action is operative to approximately one-half the circumference of the wheel. This is the greatest extent of locking action possible, and being evenly and equally distributed provides the greatest strength, durability, and efficiency, and prevents distortion and corresponding inefliciency of the various rim parts.

I claim:

1. A demountable rim of the character described comprising the combination with a rim base section, an inner tire-retaining flange integral with said base section and a removable outer retaining flange, of an inner locking plate integral with said base section, spaced arcuate locking flanges integral with said inner locking plate, each of said flanges having an enlarged head spaced from the inner locking plate, an outer locking plate integral with said removable outer tire-retaining flange having a circumferential channel on its inner side and provided with a plurality of arcuate shoulders spaced circumferentially to permit entrance of the enlarged head in the said channel and spaced radially to accommodate said arcuate flanges when said enlarged heads are confined behindsaid shoulders, and means for maintaining said locking plates against circumferential movement, all as and for the purposes set forth.

2. A demountable rim of the character described comprising the combination with a rim base section, an inner tire-retaining flange integral with said base section and a removable outer retaining flange, of an inner locking plate integral with said'base section, spaced arcuate locking flanges integral with said inner locking plate, each of said flanges having an enlarged head spaced from the inner locking plate, and anouter locking plate integral with said removable outer tire-retaining flange having acircumferential channel on its inner side and provided with a plurality of arcuate shoulders spaced circumferentially to permit entrance of the enlarged headin the said channel and spaced radially to accommodate said arcuate flanges when said enlarged heads are confined behind said shoulders. I

3. A demountable rim of the'character described comprising the combination with a rim base section, an inner tire-retaining flange integral with said base section and a removable outer retaining flange, of an'in ner locking plate integral with said base section, spaced arcuate locking flanges integral with said inner locking plate, each of said flanges having an enlarged head spaced from the inner locking plate, the under side of the enlarged head at each end of the locking plate being beveled to provide an inclinedsurface, and an outer locking plate integral with said removable outer tire-retaining flange having a circumferential channel on'its inner side and provided with a plurality of arcuate shoulders spaced circumfercntially to permit entrance of the en larged head in the said channel and spaced adially to accommodate said arcuate flanges when said enlarged heads are confined behind said shoulders.

4. A demountable rim of the character described comprising the combination with a rimbase section, an inner tire-retaining flange integral with said base section and a removable outer tire-retaining flange, of an inner locking plate integral with said base section, spaced arcuate locking flanges integral with said inner locking plate, each of said flanges having enlarged cylindrical heads, arcuate cylindrical heads spaced from the inner locking plate, an outer locking plate integral With said outer removable tire-retaining flange having a circumferential channel on its inner side cylindrical in 5'crbss section and open to the inner under I side of the outer locking plate, and .pro-

vided with a plurality of arcuate shoulders spaced circumferentially to permit entrance of the enlarged head into said channel and spaced radially to accommodate said ar- 10 cuate flange When said enlarged heads are behind said shoulders.

HENRY MARTIN HOWELL 

